Hello All,

Andy_CT · Post by **Andy_CT** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 5:59 pm

Prism1234 wrote: Also, I would love to hear of these species that can take the frosty beating!!

Opuntia's
Humifusa
Macrorhiza
Polyacantha
Cymochila
Rhodantha
Aurea
Phaecantha
Fragilis
Rutila
Whipplei
Imbricata

plus many other Opuntia hybrids

Escobaria
Vivipara
Missouriensis

Echinocereus
Reichenbachii
Viridiflorus
Triglochidiatus
Coccinus
Fendleri (maybe)

I'm sure I missed some but you could have a big garden. They need very good drainage and a sunny spot

damarech · Post by **damarech** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 7:05 pm

Hi Priz

Welcome.

Glad to see someone who lives at around the same growing zones.I am from Ottawa canada, which is not that much more further north than you are.I'll be watching progress with interest.

Marcel

ihc6480 · Post by **ihc6480** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 1:19 am

Hey Prism1234,
You'd be surprised what can be accomplished with the right preperation such as well draining raised beds.
Andy has gave some good suggestions. I grow cold hardy cacti in zone 5 and I believe you are also zone 5.
Heres one of my opuntia that laughs at frosty weather.

It has fairly nice flowers too

Prism1234 · Post by **Prism1234** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 12:44 pm

Wow guys!

Thanks for all the great info!!

If one was interested in raised beds where might one look for good info?

that flower is beautiful!

RayC · Post by **RayC** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 1:00 pm

Hi Prism. I'm new here myself and am interested in outdoor cacti. I have found quite a bit of info in the outdoor cacti forum here just going through old posts.

Prism1234 · Post by **Prism1234** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 3:16 pm

Cool, I will have a look!

ihc6480 · Post by **ihc6480** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 11:42 pm

Well, my raised beds are 4x6 timbers made basically into boxes (you determine the size) which are filled with a fairly quick draining soil mixture. I've used combinations of soil, lava rock and pea gravel to obtain a fairly quick draining soil. The key with a raised bed is that it's higher than normal ground level so it will drain off and won't stay saturated like your normal yard will.

Prism1234 · Post by **Prism1234** » Sun Jul 27, 2008 1:53 pm

That seems easy enuff...

Now to get those species.... any suggestions for a good vendor for these outdoor plants? What about for zone 7 as I may be moving soon?...

ihc6480 · Post by **ihc6480** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 12:26 am

Well, I know a guy that has several varieties of Opuntia that would more than likely send you some starts if your wanting cold hardy Opuntias

John P Weiser · Post by **John P Weiser** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 6:55 am

Bill!! Looks like you got a live one. Now bate the hook!! Let him take it. When you feel him nibble set it and he's all yours!! Way to go buddy!!!:lol:

Great to have another cold hardy cactus grower aboard. I think we can get you started on the right foot. But be warned it doesn't take long for your other foot to follow. Then there's no turning around.

When your ready to stick your left foot in let me know I will be more than happy to help you out.

sierrarainshadow

Prism1234 · Post by **Prism1234** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 12:53 pm

Hey Guys,

Thanks for the friendly offer! I would love whatever anyone could spare to get me started. Not that I am begging, I would be more than happy to buy, but I find spreading the love on these types of forums to be more fun for everybody. Anyone who sends me goodies can be confident that I will return the favor to someone else in need if I have the opportunity.

Thanks again for all the fine welcomes and advise!

I will be really gearing up my landscaping outdoors this fall and an outdoor raised cacti garden definitely fits right in!

Also, direct sun? Indirect?

Prism1234 · Post by **Prism1234** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 12:54 pm

Any good links for building one of these beds with an Itemlist etc?

ihc6480 · Post by **ihc6480** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 11:24 pm

Hey John, we got him--hook, line and sinker

Prism1234,
PM or E-mail me your address and I'll gladly send you some hardy Opuntia starts. Right off hand I can't suggest any links or sites for raised beds. You don't have to use timbers. You can also outline an area with rocks then fill the area in with fast draining soil mixture. I don't get extravegent with with soil mixture, I buy cheap top soil and mix alot of lava rock and pea gravel in it. When it's mixed I might have 50% soil and the other 50% will be lava rock and pea gravel.

Andy_CT · Post by **Andy_CT** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 12:59 pm

Prism1234 wrote: Also, direct sun? Indirect?

There may be a few exceptions but you want direct sun and lots of it. You want to build the bed so that it slopes slightly to the South, this gives it the best direct sun angle

Prism1234 · Post by **Prism1234** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 1:38 pm

Awesome,

Lots of sun and slightly south... Got it!

Thanks for the offer of the starts and PM sent!

I can't wait to get diggin!

Oh,

Should I just leave the starts alone until fall, or should I plant them in pots indoors until I get a bed going in the spring? Is the Spring the best time to plant?